"I've no faith in these sudden California fortunes!" "You're wrong as regards Mallory, for he's as careful as he is lucky.

He don't throw money away for appearance sake, or he'd have a rich home for that daughter.

He could afford it." Mrs.Randolph was silent.

"She is his only daughter, I believe," she continued presently.
"Yes--he has no other kith or kin," returned the major.
"She seems to be very much impressed by Emile," said Mrs.Randolph.
Major Randolph faced his wife quickly.
"In the name of all that's ridiculous, my dear, you are not already thinking of"-- he gasped.
"I should be very loth to give MY sanction to anything of the kind, knowing the difference of her birth, education, and religion,--although the latter I believe she would readily change," said Mrs.Randolph, severely.

"But when you speak of MY already thinking of 'such things,' do you suppose that your friend, Mr.Mallory, didn't consider all that when he sent that girl here ?" "Never," said the major, vehemently, "and if it entered his head now, by Jove, he'd take her away to-morrow--always supposing I didn't anticipate him by sending her off myself." Mrs.Randolph uttered her mirthless laugh.